It seems Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer will be guiding Australia to their tenth World Cup crown judging by their flawless performance against the Kiwis last Sunday night. But when the Broncos icon decides to hang up his representative boots, who will take his place as skipper?
There are a host of players in the Kangaroos line-up that would do an admirable job in leading the side.
Cameron Smith held the honour once and deservedly so, with the Storm hooker already captaining the Melbourne juggernaut to a premiership.
Petero Civoncieva deserves a crack, but age could get the best of him, while Paul Gallen showed admirable qualities while leading an unheralded Sharks outfit this season.
As strange as it seems, though, Johnathon Thurston is yet to have the ‘C’ imprinted next to his name for the Kangaroos.
The Two time Dally M Medal winner has achieved everything the game has to offer and thoroughly deserves to add an honour to a list which has already yielded a Premiership, Origin victories and Test jerseys.
He has done it for a Cowboys side that was forlorn premiership material prior to his arrival at Townsville. Barring this years performance, they have always made the NRL finals with Thurston at the helm.
And with the World Cup now in town, the North Queensland halfback is dominating again.
He was sensational in the Kangaroos opening game against the Kiwis, with his every touch one of class and composure.
Lockyer’s presence as the head of Australia’s leadership group now rivals Wayne Bennett’s former association with the Broncos.
But as Lockyer reaches the nervous thirties, Thurston, 25, will get ample opportunity to officially lead the Kangaroos into another era of league dominance.
And judging by his most recent performance in the green and gold, Thurston will be hard to displace once he gets the ‘C’ imprinted next to his name.
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Cosmos forever That is a very interesting question but i think the noble ones have stood out in Australian history more than most. One captain that comes to mind that got wins and was humble (in my opinion) is former Wallabies player John Eales. I think he was Australia's best captain all round in any sport for his integrity and inspirational play for the Wallabies, particularly in Bledisloe competition.
cosmos forever
Guest
No doubt about that - he is exactly the kind of bloke who you want to have the ball in hand. Real matchwinner. Just not a 'leader of men' in my opinion. Interesting broader question about whether Australians prefer a captain who gets wins, or who leads with a bit if nobleness (ideally both of course!)
Alan
Roar Guru
Cosmos forever I know what you mean mate. Thurston has been prone to going over the top with NRL referees. That could be a chink in his armour when it comes to gaining the Australian captaincy. As a player though, he is one of few that should have posession of the footy when key moments in a game surface. Overall, he is a matchwinner of the highest quality now.
cosmos forever
Guest
After seeing the Cowboys play live on a number of occasions I can't disagree more. A great player, but a whinging bully who spends more time having a go at the ref and his own players than leading anyone around the park. But that's just me, I think Ricky Ponting is in the same league, but plenty of people like their captains like he and Thurston.